cida recognizes history professor’s documentary with significant national award
(thunder bay - june 22, 2004) the internationally acclaimed documentary banana split has earned another significant national award.
the canadian international development agency (cida) has given the film the first annual deborah fletcher award of excellence in filmmaking. this award recognizes an outstanding international development film by a canadian producer/filmmaker and comes with $10,000 in funding to begin a new film.
banana split was produced and directed by dr. ron harpelle of 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 's history department, and local filmmaker, kelly saxberg. on their website, the cida says the film was selected "for its entertaining and thought-provoking look at the issues surrounding the banana, a popular tropical fruit much loved by canadians." the film takes viewers to the vast, foreign-owned banana plantations in honduras where workers labour for very little a day under often-dangerous conditions.
"this is a wonderful recognition from cida," says dr. harpelle. "banana split examines the historical, social, economic, scientific, and environmental aspects of banana production -- all issues cida deals with concerning international development."
dr. harpelle is available for interviews by calling marla tomlinson at 343-8177.